Currently, restaurants and bars at O’Hare and Midway airports are forbidden from selling alcohol between 2 a.m. and 7 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays and from 3 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Sundays

The proposal has been approved by the city’s aldermen and now awaits a City Council vote.

While only a limited number of push cart licenses will be made available at O’Hare and Midway, all restaurants with current liquor licenses would be allowed to take advantage of the extended serving hours.

If O’Hare does go for 24-hour booze service, how long until this guy tries to spend an entire day soaking up suds?

I detest flying, I either like being overtired or a little buzzed before takeoff.

I flew out of Midway once on a early Sunday connection to Duluth MN on a prop plane after an unexpected overnight stay in the airport (plane came in too late to make connection). I would have willingly killed three people for a couple shots that morning.

…are forbidden from selling alcohol between 2 a.m. and 7 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays and from 3 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Sundays

Is there really that great of a groundswell clamoring for booze at these times? When I’ve been unlucky enough to be at O’Hare this late (or this early), there weren’t many people milling around to begin with.

I’m not sure this is a such a good idea. I mean, I don’t want to sound like a stick in the mud or anything, but I don’t think people should be allowed to get drunk before getting on a plane (or get drunk while they’re on the plane for that matter). I understand that some people are afraid of flying and do better with a little booze in them, but can’t they take medication for that instead? At least that way you’ll be sleepy, instead of possibly annoying, belligerent, violent, angry, physically ill, etc. That kind of behavior in a confined space where you can’t get away from it is unacceptable. At least when you go to a bar, you’re expecting that some people will act that way.

Quick story: Some friends of mine went on a trip back in March to Phoenix and a very obviously inebriated man got on the plane and threw up ALL OVER right after take off. He got it all over himself, his rowmates, the people in front of him, and the vomit got all over the carry-ons on the floor behind him. The plane was full so there was nowhere for anyone to move to, and everyone was covered in vomit and couldn’t adequately clean themselves or their stuff, and the plane reeked of vomit for the rest of the flight.

I think straight up wino-intoxication is bad, yes…. I rarely ever see that… even on flights from somewhere to back home (vegas, where the only times I encountered drunk people were on these flights…) were not that bad….
Sorry for your friend’s crappy plane ride…

But the side effects from some of the medications people take to be on a plane are far worse than a couple of shots…. even if you do end up with a hangover – it’s nothing some starchy food, water and a couple of aspiriin can’t cure….

Personally, I have one of their cheap, small bottles of wine and nap most of the flight….

Usually, they won’t allow someone who is obviously intoxicated to board, so how unfortunate that the ball was dropped in your friend’s case! Did anyone complain about this person? That might have taken care of it.

I know what you mean about taking meds, but that requires a prescription, and a couple of cocktails don’t. I flown a lot, and I hardly ever see anyone totally blotto; I think most people have the common sense to keep it under control.

Does that mean that they will also be able to sell food (and not just pre-made salads / sandwiches) past 9pm? The last time I flew threw O’hare I got in later then scheduled (big surprise I know) so I got there after 9pm. All the food service in the terminal I was in shut down at 9, including the fast food. Because my flight to O’hare was delayed, and they wouldn’t give a definite time for take-off, I didn’t leave the area from my originating airport so I couldn’t get food there before taking off.

Open your minds people. Chicago O’Hare is a major international airport. People are on connections from all over the world on a variety of time zones. It is the worst of America that wants to dictate when one can or should enjoy a tasty adult beverage. Get off your pedestal and join me for a beer.